Question: I just purchased a home which had a crawl space and was cleaned.
I understand the previous renters had a rat problem. I put down pellets
and set traps yesterday. How effective is that. The crawl space is now
clean. Do I have to get professional help. Will they go away if they
can't find junk or food? I live by a lake by the way.
ANSWER It is not unusual for there to be rats near a lake - especially if there are wooded areas.
The best control program for rats is prevention. Preventing their access to buildings is less expensive and easier than try to get rid of them once they have arrived. Rats can follow utility lines or tree branches to get onto the roof, and they can climb up drain spouts. Once on the roof they can enter the attic through vents. They can move from room to room in the attic by following pipes.
All potential access points for rats should be inspected and sealed. Rats can enter through holes as small as a quarter (25 cents), so inspect very thoroughly.
If rats do get inside, the best control method is to use snap traps. Use several of them-the theory of one rat one trap rarely works! Lots of traps will ensure that you get them, and quickly. Rats are shy around new things, so the traps have to be attractive. Bait the traps with small amount of food and tie it on securely. Rat traps are very strong, so be very careful when handling them. Put the traps in runways. Be sure children and pets cannot reach the traps.
Baits may be effective, but oftentimes the rat dies behind the wall and there is a lingering odor for several weeks.
